Home and abroad: Hindu editorial on PM Modi’s G-7 commitment to protect freedom of expression

Geopolitics overtakes economics at the annual summit of the world’s “most industrialized” countries, known as the G-7, at the German resort of Schloss Elmau. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a summit, along with other special invitees from Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa. While the G-7 countries had some economic initiatives on their agenda, including a $600 billion US-led Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), a commitment to fight climate change, financing of renewable energy transformations, reducing inflation mitigation and management. With the ongoing global crisis over the COVID-19 pandemic, it was clear that most of the deliberations were focused on the dual challenges seen from Russia and China. The 28-page release underscored the challenges of Moscow’s war in Ukraine (including stringent sanctions, impact on energy markets and cyber security threats) and Beijing’s “wide maritime claims”, rights violations, and destabilizing international order. The middle is optionally included. Debt creation in low-income countries. The G-7 countries issued separate statements on support for Ukraine, food security and a ‘climate club’. In addition, the G-7 and special invitees “Partner Countries” issued a statement on “resilient democracy”, committed to free and fair elections, protecting freedom of expression, and gender empowerment. The message was made even more clear to Russia and China at a later NATO summit in Madrid, where America’s transatlantic allies invited America’s trans-Pacific allies to discuss security challenges.

Given the targeted nature of the results of the G-7, India had its work cut out as a balancing force. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that the developing world needs support the most, including to weather the “knock-on” effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The government tried to distance itself from the PGII, positioning itself as a G-7 counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and making it clear that India only focused on statements on “Resilient Democracy” and “Just Energy Transition”. was signed. And not many statements condemning Russia and China, as Mr Modi did at the first BRICS summit, shied away from the West’s strong criticism of President Putin and President Xi. On the global stage, the results of the G-7 mean that New Delhi will have to continue to walk a link between these two blocs that are becoming more polarized and hostile towards each other. On the Indian platform, Mr. Modi’s G-7 commitments will be scrutinized, his declarations on democracy, and his written assurances that his government will Civil society, to protect freedom of expression and “idea, conscience, religion or belief”who are challenges facing the country,